June, 1935
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
228
NOTES
sages which exalt the holy name of the Lord. “ O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Psa. 34: 3). “And blessed be his glorious name for ever” (Psa. 72:19). “ The name o f the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run neth into it, and is safe” (Prov. 18:10). When we have fellowship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, His name becomes so precious to us that any care less use of it hurts us keenly. And His songs our tongues employ!” The story o f Peter’s fall (Matt. 26:69- 75), culminating in the third denial, with its oaths and curses, is a terrible example o f the outcome o f broken fellowship with Christ. Yet even here, at the moment when “the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter” (Lk. 22:61), the disciple’s heart was melted in genuine sorrow for his sin. The people who have experienced divine forgiveness never weary of any message which truly exalts the name o f the Lord and reminds them o f His love. With in creasing gladness they realize that “God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:9). “O h ! The precious name o f Jesus; How it thrills our souls with joy, When His loving arms receive us, In the Middle Ages, a citizen of Cologne who was also an archbishop was one day overheard swearing. A peasant who stood by seemed to wonder greatly at his con- . duct. “ I swear,” said the prelate, “not as an archbishop, but as a citizen.” “ But, sir,” said the peasant, “ when the citizen goes to perdition, what will be come of the archbishop ?”— P ickering . II. P ointed R ebuke A certain person, who was remarkable for the cheerfulness as well as fervor of his piety, was in a group ,of people when a man occasionally embellished his dis courses with the names of “devil,” “ deuce,” etc., and at last took the name o f God in vain. “ Stop, sir,” said the Christian. “ I said nothing while you only used freedom with the names of your own master, but I in sist you shall take no freedom with the name of mine.”— S elected . III. W h at P rofanity R eveals It has been said that the continued use of profane language proves an inability to use any other language intelligently. It is a sign o f limited vocabulary. One of the marks of a gentleman is that he does not need to use profanity. The profane person shows immediately a lack o f reverence toward God .—Christian En deavor Notes for 1935. Leader’s Helps I. T he P easant ’ s Q uery
emn words: “ The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” In view of this serious warning, it is ap palling that profanity should be as com mon as it is today. God’s name represents His character; hence He justly requires that men rightly use that worthy name. “ God is a Spirit, infinite and eternal, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth”—as the Shorter Catechism ex presses the teaching of the Word. When we stop to consider these great aspects of the nature o f our God, we cannot lightly use that holy name. What is, implied in the taking of the Lord’s name “in vain” ? “Vain” comes from the Latin word vanus, meaning “empty.” And truly profanity is empty, fruitless, futile, unsatisfying, unprofitable. Not only in the Ten Commandments did God forbid this practice of careless speak ing. In Leviticus i8:21, R. V., we read: “ Neither shalt thou profane the name o f thy God: I am Jehovah.” Again we find the repeated prohibition: “And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name o f thy God: I am Jehovah” (Lev. 19:12, R. V .). On the other hand, the Scriptures are abounding with pas
JULY 7, 1935 WHY IS PROFANITY HARMFUL? E xodus 2 0 :7 ; M atthew 26:69-75 Suggestions for the Meeting Hymn—“ Crown Him w i t h M a n y Crowns.” Hymn—“ O Worship the King.” Prayer. Scripture—Exodus 2 0 :7 ; Matthew 26: 69-75. Hymn—“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!” Violin Solo. Leader’s Message. Life Testimonies —■“How I f o u n d Christ”—given by two members. Quiet Hour. Hymn—“ The Name o f Jesus.” Benediction—Psalm 19:14. Meditation on the Lesson Profanity is inexcusable and most con temptible. It not only injurés those who hear it, but harms incalculably the one who uses it. In the Decalogue in Exodus 20, we note that the injunction which we usually call the “ Third Commandment” hafe a penalty attached. We read these sol
THE VENERABLE BEDE T R AN SLAT ING J O H N 'S GO SPEL One of the Murals of the American Bible Society Exhibition, Century of Progress
The American Bible Society appropriately suggests a wide reading of the Gospel of John as the anniversary of Bede's work of translation is recalled. Bede was the most learned man of his age in Britain, and perhaps anywhere. He spent his last days translating one of the Gospels into the vernacular of his period. This is the first time any portion of the Bible got into English. May 25, 735, marks a double Bede anniversary; on that day he completed his translation, and on that day he died, 1,200 years ago. The best recognition of the translator's great achievement will be found in the reading of the Gospel on which he worked.
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